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Years ago, the tackle industry realized they should produce specialty flats lines to handle the summer heat. These "tropic" tapers came to dominate the saltwater market, but somehow, the warmwater market got overlooked.

What to do?

I started using saltwater tropic tapers. And though they might not float as well as traditional freshwater lines, the improved casting performance made the tradeoff worthwhile. The only serious limitation was in line sizes, because saltwater tropic lines are rarely (if ever) offered in sizes smaller than 6-weight. But that's OK. A 6-weight tropic line on a 5-weight rod, or a 7-weight line on a 6-weight rod, is an excellent combination for small to medium bass bugs.

Remember that old tune from Hee Haw about bad luck or none at all. Seems to be my theme song this summer. Very little opportunity to fish due to work travel schedule and when I finally get a break from that my back goes out It is the time of year when smallmouth bass really go after top water flies at dusk and dawn but I am relegated to taking muscle relaxants, pain meds and going to PT. Meanwhile, friends are reporting some great action on smallies. Oh well, this too shall pass and in a few weeks I can get out. There are folks with lots worse medical problems than me so I am thankful for the fact that this will improve. But it is frustrating not being able to fish.

Our next monthly fly tying session will be Monday, July 27, at the Cabelas store in Gonzales, in the upstairs Conference Room. Time is 7:00pm. The public and beginners are welcome. Bring your own tools if you have them, else the club has a few tool sets it can provide during the session. Materials are provided.

For this month, Tying Chairman Jeff Denig will demonstrate a couple of warmwater patterns. See you there!

Thanks for the info. My window of opportunity may be small...I may be able to escape for a few days! I'll probably book a hotel for 2 nights and explore the smallmouth bass opportunities in the park. I just need to locate the rocks to toss some wooly buggers or grasshoppers and hold on. I have a new furled leader that needs a workout!